Post by TaQuilla on Dec 14, 2006 11:01:07 GMT -5
What part of the Proverbs 31 woman do you struggle with?
I've been thinking on this for quite some time. I would have to say for me, by far, it's her discipline: "She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and work to her maids" Prov. 31:15
For many years, I've longed to become the woman that the Lord has presented for us as an example of virtuous wife. But while desiring to become more like her, I've also allowed my spirit to be filled with all kinds of excuses of why I could just never be this woman in some areas. One example is this particular verse. For many years I told myself (and my husband on occasion) that, "of course, I would get up while it was still night if I had someone to delegate the work to like she did". Of course I was talking about her "maids." I mean, if I had maids, I'd get up tell them what to do and go back to sleep, right?! The Lord has shown me that I am all too wrong here. And this has become my ongoing struggle w/the Lord, where He is constantly telling me to "get up while it is still night" (which is like 5-6am in the winter), and I'm telling him that it's too dark to get up, and the bed feels too good!
I went to the Lord in prayer many times on this one, each time still feeling like this is just one of those points in the Bible that couldn't possibly pertain to life today, especially not my life. But as always, the Lord is showing me that ALL parts of the Bible are applicable to our daily lives, we just have to ask Him to show us how and where to apply it. The Lord shut me up quick with my "maids" complaint, and showed me that I probably have more "maidservants" than even this woman of virtue had. Their names are: Frigidaire (dishwasher), Kitchen Aid (mixer), Kenmore (washer, dryer, microwave), GE (fridge), Rainbow (vacuum), etc... So basically, I have no room to complain about not having the hired help that she did. And I also have an alarm clock to help me get my butt up like I'm supposed to. So there it is...I need to wake up earlier. Why? Because God said so, period.
I have noticed that when I do rise early, I receive the blessing of: time alone, time w/God, time to plan my day, time to exercise, and time to get a jump on my day and get those maids to work (load/unload the washer/dishwasher, get some breakfast started), all by like 7am, and my day goes so much smoother. I also reap what I sow when I don't get up early, my family eats something unhealthy, just because its quick (like cereal), my time w/God, and workout usually get skipped, I have no time alone, and all day/week long I feel like I'm playing catch-up w/ the laundry and dishes.
I now know why this woman did what she did, and now its my turn to follow suit, with constant prayer and discipline. For the sake of my family, which God has given me to take care of (Titus 2:4,5), and for the sake of my spiritual and physical health. God truly does know best, and may He give me the strength to accomplish His will.
So, I pose the question again...where do you struggle w/the Prov. 31 woman?
I've been thinking on this for quite some time. I would have to say for me, by far, it's her discipline: "She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and work to her maids" Prov. 31:15
For many years, I've longed to become the woman that the Lord has presented for us as an example of virtuous wife. But while desiring to become more like her, I've also allowed my spirit to be filled with all kinds of excuses of why I could just never be this woman in some areas. One example is this particular verse. For many years I told myself (and my husband on occasion) that, "of course, I would get up while it was still night if I had someone to delegate the work to like she did". Of course I was talking about her "maids." I mean, if I had maids, I'd get up tell them what to do and go back to sleep, right?! The Lord has shown me that I am all too wrong here. And this has become my ongoing struggle w/the Lord, where He is constantly telling me to "get up while it is still night" (which is like 5-6am in the winter), and I'm telling him that it's too dark to get up, and the bed feels too good!
I went to the Lord in prayer many times on this one, each time still feeling like this is just one of those points in the Bible that couldn't possibly pertain to life today, especially not my life. But as always, the Lord is showing me that ALL parts of the Bible are applicable to our daily lives, we just have to ask Him to show us how and where to apply it. The Lord shut me up quick with my "maids" complaint, and showed me that I probably have more "maidservants" than even this woman of virtue had. Their names are: Frigidaire (dishwasher), Kitchen Aid (mixer), Kenmore (washer, dryer, microwave), GE (fridge), Rainbow (vacuum), etc... So basically, I have no room to complain about not having the hired help that she did. And I also have an alarm clock to help me get my butt up like I'm supposed to. So there it is...I need to wake up earlier. Why? Because God said so, period.
I have noticed that when I do rise early, I receive the blessing of: time alone, time w/God, time to plan my day, time to exercise, and time to get a jump on my day and get those maids to work (load/unload the washer/dishwasher, get some breakfast started), all by like 7am, and my day goes so much smoother. I also reap what I sow when I don't get up early, my family eats something unhealthy, just because its quick (like cereal), my time w/God, and workout usually get skipped, I have no time alone, and all day/week long I feel like I'm playing catch-up w/ the laundry and dishes.
I now know why this woman did what she did, and now its my turn to follow suit, with constant prayer and discipline. For the sake of my family, which God has given me to take care of (Titus 2:4,5), and for the sake of my spiritual and physical health. God truly does know best, and may He give me the strength to accomplish His will.
So, I pose the question again...where do you struggle w/the Prov. 31 woman?